Page 53 of Silver Fox's Christmas Scandal

"Business school. Getting my MBA." She tilted her head to look at me. "After today, after seeing what I'm capable of when given the chance, I think it might be time to make that investment in myself."

The idea should have pleased me—Tessa pursuing advanced education, expanding her opportunities. Instead, it felt like another step toward her eventual departure from my life.

"That's ambitious," I said. "Have you looked at programs?"

"A few. Northwestern has an excellent executive program that would let me keep working while taking classes. It's expensive, but the long-term career prospects make it worthwhile."

"I could cover the tuition," I offered before I could stop myself. "Consider it an investment in a valuable employee."

She shook her head immediately. "No. Thank you, but no. If I'm going to do this, I need to earn it myself. I need to know that whatever I accomplish afterward is because of my own effort, not because someone else paid my way."

The independence in her voice was both admirable and frustrating. I wanted to give her everything—education, opportunities, a future without financial stress—but she was determined to build her own path.

My phone buzzed on the nightstand, interrupting my thoughts. I reached for it, expecting to see a message from Daniel about tomorrow's meetings.

Instead, Elena's name appeared on the screen as a voicemail message transcript popped up in my notification panel.

Dad, can we meet for coffee when you get back to Chicago? I want to talk about some family issues. Let me know when you're free.

The message made my stomach tighten with apprehension. Elena rarely initiated contact, and when she did, it usually meant trouble.

"What's wrong?" Tessa asked, noticing my expression.

I handed her the phone so she could read the message. "Elena only reaches out when she needs something or when she's heard gossip that concerns her. Since I haven't heard from her in months, I'm guessing it's the latter."

Tessa read the message twice before handing the phone back. "Family issues could mean anything."

"Well, after that nonsense with Blake, I’m sure it's not nothing." I set the phone aside, but the peaceful mood of the evening had already been broken. "The timing feels off."

"Maybe she genuinely wants to reconnect."

I looked at Tessa, wishing I could share her optimism.

But I knew my daughter too well. Elena didn't do family bonding over coffee. She was just like her mother, and most likely, Viktoria or Blake put her up to this.

It was like the universe itself was telling me I didn’t belong here in this bed with Tessa Wynn and that I needed to prepare myself for the moment she recognized it too and went her own separate way.

That was going to be miserable.

15

TESSA

After a long weekend in Miami, I settled behind my desk, happy to be back at work and in my routine.

But the office buzzed with tension that hadn’t been here when Lucian and I had left on Thursday afternoon.

He had meetings all week, back to back and butting right up to a board presentation on Friday.

I knew we wouldn't see much of each other this week, but with the work I had to catch up, I'd been okay with it.

But the way people were whispering and their conversations dropped to a lower volume or ceased entirely every time I walked past made me feel sick to my stomach.

I carried an uneasy feeling in the pit of my stomach after Blake's rude treatment a few weeks ago, and this wasn't helping at all.

"Morning, Tessa." Sarah from Accounting stopped by my desk, her smile a touch too bright. "How was Miami? I heard the client presentation went really well."

"It did. Mr. Cross was pleased with the outcome." I kept my response professional, but Sarah's eyes held a gleam of curiosity that made my stomach tighten.